DEA Report: Marijuana Least Threatening Drug in USA

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) latest annual National Drug Threat Assessment (NDTA) report, in which state and local law enforcement agencies assess the greatest drug threats, marijuana was ranked last among all other drugs.

In 2014, methamphetamine was ranked the greatest threat, closely followed by heroin and trailed by controlled prescription drugs. In both 2013 and 2014, these three drugs combined were ranked the greatest threat by over 80% of reporting law enforcement agencies, while marijuana was placed at only 7% for both years.

In the West Central United States, which includes marijuana legalization pioneer Colorado, methamphetamine was ranked the highest threat by 61% of reporting agencies, marijuana at just 4%. In the Pacific region, which includes the medical and recreational legalized marijuana state of Washington, the same pattern is present with meth at 67% and marijuana at 9%.